Got on feet immediately and was so relaxed that for the first time in a race I was able to do my usual bilateral breathing every third stroke instead of panting and gasping every other stroke.

Was super-psyched to hit the beach the first time at 16:30. Had to walk the beach because it was rocky.

Second loop went just as well - couldn't believe it when I hit the beach at 35:13. (Time includes a slow run up to transition thanks to rocky asphalt.)

Knocked 6.5 minutes off of my last Oly time, but was still last in my AG - over a minute and a half behind the next girl, so I think the good time is more from a short/fast course than any actual improvements. (My 41:30 at Lake George still had me beating one person in my AG.) Damn. Thought I had improved more than that.

Have sandals waiting at the beach for the run into T1 (found out later from boyfriend many people did this). Not only did that cost my time, I cut a good chunk of skin off the bottom of my toe.)

Take yet more swim lessons - obviously still have a LONG way to go to being even a half-decent swimmer.

Once again, needed sandals. Also lost time putting on Garmin - something I wouldn't use if I were RACING an Oly. Wetsuit stuck as usual.

Bring sandals, figure out wetsuit issue, ditch Garmin for racing.

TOUGH course - very hilly (i.e. HR in the 170s while in granny gear, which for me is a 28 cog), and technical turns. Was either granny-gearing up hills or feathering my brakes on the descent thanks to the rain.

Embarrassingly slow, but I WAS under orders to dog it.

Slow course - nobody had fast times. If I had been going Oly pace I actually would have placed pretty well in my AG for bike split.

Go at race pace. ;-)

Pretty average. Although I started to run out with my helmet still on. My lovely boyfriend of course TOOK PHOTO PROOF before yelling at me to remove it. LOL!

Install Yanks (have regular laces on for Ironman since I find them more comfortable.) for short distance racing and remember to TAKE OF MY HELMET.

Once again dogged it at IM pace. Would have had at least second-fastest run at race pace. TOUGH course - haven't done run hill training since Cowtown so wasn't prepared.

Go race pace and do hill work if I come back to this race.

Walked around a bit. Didn't feel like I had worked that hard, so more needed to get into dry, warm clothes. (It was raining and 60.)


Lack of hill training on the run, the slick roads, and going at IM pace.


Well-run race, although they need to fix the road (first and last couple of miles on the bike course were AWFUL). Wasn't ready for the run course, but that's because I'm training for the flat IMLP run. No aid stations on the bike.

I don't know about post-race activites because we had to skedaddle right after I finished.